U.S. patent application number 13/446169 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-25 for integrated temperature and humidity control device.
This patent application is currently assigned to ASKEY COMPUTER CORP.. The applicant listed for this patent is CHING-FENG HSIEH, CHUN-YI WANG, SHENG-HUI YANG. Invention is credited to CHING-FENG HSIEH, CHUN-YI WANG, SHENG-HUI YANG.
Application Number | 20130186965 13/446169 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48796439 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130186965 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
WANG; CHUN-YI ; et
al. |
July 25, 2013 |
INTEGRATED TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY CONTROL DEVICE
Abstract
An integrated temperature and humidity control device includes a
temperature and humidity sensing element, a temperature and
humidity sensing transmission interface, a computation processing
module, a communication interface, and a display interface which
are integrated with each other. The device performs local and
remote fab temperature and humidity control simultaneously and
allows on-site display of temperature and humidity levels at the
fab. Accordingly, the device enables convenient simultaneous
control and display of temperature and humidity levels and
simplifies the layout thereof.
Inventors: |
WANG; CHUN-YI; (NEW TAIPEI
CITY, TW) ; YANG; SHENG-HUI; (NEW TAIPEI CITY,
TW) ; HSIEH; CHING-FENG; (TAIPEI CITY, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WANG; CHUN-YI
YANG; SHENG-HUI
HSIEH; CHING-FENG |
NEW TAIPEI CITY
NEW TAIPEI CITY
TAIPEI CITY |
|
TW
TW
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
ASKEY COMPUTER CORP.
TW
ASKEY TECHNOLOGY (JIANGSU) LTD.
|
Family ID: |
48796439 |
Appl. No.: |
13/446169 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
236/44C |
Current CPC
Class: |
F24F 2110/10 20180101;
F24F 2110/20 20180101; F24F 11/30 20180101; G05D 27/02 20130101;
F24F 11/52 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
236/44.C |
International
Class: |
F24F 3/14 20060101
F24F003/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 20, 2012 |
TW |
101102453 |
Claims
1. An integrated temperature and humidity control device,
controlled by a control console, comprising: at least a temperature
and humidity sensing element for sensing temperature and humidity
and generating at least a temperature and humidity sensing signal;
a temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface connected
to the at least a temperature and humidity sensing element for
receiving the at least a temperature and humidity sensing signal; a
computation processing module connected to the temperature and
humidity sensing transmission interface for receiving the at least
a temperature and humidity sensing signal to generate at least a
temperature and humidity measurement result; a communication
interface connected to the computation processing module for
sending the at least a temperature and humidity measurement result
to the control console; and at least a display interface connected
to the computation processing module for displaying the at least a
temperature and humidity measurement result.
2. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
1, wherein the control console comprises at least one of a remote
host and a local host.
3. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
2, wherein the at least a temperature and humidity sensing element
comprises at least one of at least a high-precision temperature and
humidity sensing element and at least a low-precision temperature
and humidity sensing element, the at least a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element sensing temperature and
humidity and generating at least a high-precision temperature and
humidity sensing signal, and the at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element sensing temperature and
humidity and generating at least a low-precision temperature and
humidity sensing signal.
4. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
3, wherein the temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface comprises at least one of a high-precision temperature
and humidity sensing transmission interface and a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface, the
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface connecting to the at least a high-precision temperature
and humidity sensing element, communicating with the at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element by two-wire
transmission, and receiving the at least a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal, and the low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface connecting
to the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing
element and receiving the at least a low-precision temperature and
humidity sensing signal.
5. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
4, wherein the computation processing module is connected to at
least one of the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing
transmission interface and the low-precision temperature and
humidity sensing transmission interface for receiving the at least
a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, computing
temperature and humidity levels directly, and generating at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result, and for
receiving the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing signal, performing analog-to-digital conversion on the at
least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal,
computing temperature and humidity levels, and generating at least
a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result.
6. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
5, wherein the communication interface comprises at least one of a
first communication interface and a second communication interface,
the first communication interface connecting to the computation
processing module and transmitting the at least a high-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result and the at least a
low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result to the
remote host by Ethernet, and the second communication interface
connecting to the computation processing module and transmitting
the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result to the local host via a RS232 interface.
7. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
5, further comprising a storage unit connected to the computation
processing module and adapted to receive and store the at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the
at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result.
8. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
5, wherein one of the high-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result is processed by a programmable logic device
(PLD) in the computation processing module and then sent to the
display interface for display.
9. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
6, wherein one of the high-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result is processed by a driving circuit of a universal
asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) in the computation
processing module and then sent to the local host via the second
communication interface.
10. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
5, wherein the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result and the at least a low-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result are selectively read by the remote
control console and the local control console such that, in case of
an abnormal measurement result, at least one of the remote control
console and the local control console issue an adjustment control
signal for adjusting temperature and humidity.
11. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
3, wherein the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing element calculates a measured temperature level according
to an intrinsic impedance level and calculates a measured humidity
level according to an output voltage level.
12. The integrated temperature and humidity control device of claim
4, wherein the temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface effectuates data latch by one of a clock signal and a
data signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 101102453 filed in
Taiwan, R.O.C. on Jan. 20, 2012, the entire contents of which are
hereby incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The present invention relates to integrated temperature and
humidity control devices, and more particularly, to an integrated
temperature and humidity control device for controlling temperature
and humidity with a view to serving industry-related purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In general, manufacturing processes of industrial products
require that temperature and humidity of the operation environment
at every production-related zone in a fab have to be closely
monitored and strictly controlled, and that variations in the
ambient temperature and humidity of the fab have to be coped with,
in order to ensure the quality and stability of products being
manufactured on a production line.
[0004] At present, systems for controlling the ambient temperature
and humidity in a fab are mostly self-contained, and thus every
workstation in operation has its own independent control system
which displays the current temperature and humidity at every part
of the workstation. As a result, it is difficult to exercise
real-time control over the ambient temperature and humidity of the
fab from a remote end, thereby compromising the product quality of
the production line in its entirety.
SUMMARY
[0005] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
integrated temperature and humidity control device for exercising
local-end and remote-end control over the temperature and humidity
in a fab and providing on-site display of temperature and humidity
levels at the fab in real time.
[0006] Another objective of the present invention is to simplify
the integration of local-end temperature and humidity control and
remote-end temperature and humidity control and an installation
process thereof.
[0007] Yet another objective of the present invention is to
simplify the integration of a high-precision temperature and
humidity sensing element and a low-precision temperature and
humidity sensing element.
[0008] In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the
present invention provides an integrated temperature and humidity
control device, controlled by a control console, comprising: at
least a temperature and humidity sensing element for sensing
temperature and humidity and generating at least a temperature and
humidity sensing signal; a temperature and humidity sensing
transmission interface connected to the at least a temperature and
humidity sensing element for receiving the at least a temperature
and humidity sensing signal; a computation processing module
connected to the temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface for receiving the at least a temperature and humidity
sensing signal to generate at least a temperature and humidity
measurement result; a communication interface connected to the
computation processing module for sending the at least a
temperature and humidity measurement result to the control console;
and at least a display interface connected to the computation
processing module for displaying the at least a temperature and
humidity measurement result.
[0009] In an embodiment, the control console comprises a remote
host and/or a local host.
[0010] In an embodiment, the at least a temperature and humidity
sensing element comprises at least a high-precision temperature and
humidity sensing element and/or at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element. The at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element senses
temperature and humidity and generates at least a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal. The at least a
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element senses
temperature and humidity and generates at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal.
[0011] In an embodiment, the temperature and humidity sensing
transmission interface comprises a high-precision temperature and
humidity sensing transmission interface and/or a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface. The
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface is connected to the at least a high-precision temperature
and humidity sensing element for communicating with the at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element by two-wire
transmission and receiving the at least a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal. The low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface is
connected to the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing element for receiving the at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal.
[0012] In an embodiment, the computation processing module is
connected to the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing
transmission interface and/or the low-precision temperature and
humidity sensing transmission interface. The computation processing
module receives the at least a high-precision temperature and
humidity sensing signal and directly computes temperature and
humidity levels to generate at least a high-precision temperature
and humidity measurement result. The computation processing module
receives the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing signal, performs analog-to-digital conversion on the at
least a low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal,
computes temperature and humidity levels, and generates at least a
low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result.
[0013] In an embodiment, the communication interface comprises a
first communication interface and/or a second communication
interface. The first communication interface is connected to the
computation processing module and adapted to transmit the at least
a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and
the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result to the remote host by Ethernet. The second communication
interface is connected to the computation processing module and
adapted to transmit the at least a high-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result to the local host via a
RS232 interface.
[0014] In an embodiment, an integrated temperature and humidity
control device further comprises a storage unit connected to the
computation processing module and adapted to receive and store the
at least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result and the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result.
[0015] In an embodiment, the high-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result or the low-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result is processed by a programmable logic
device (PLD) in the computation processing module and then sent to
the display interface for display.
[0016] In an embodiment, the high-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result or the low-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result is processed by a driving circuit of a
universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) in the
computation processing module and then sent to the local host via
the second communication interface.
[0017] In an embodiment, the at least a high-precision temperature
and humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result are selectively read by
the remote control console and the local control console such that,
in case of an abnormal measurement result, at least one of the
remote control console and the local control console issue an
adjustment control signal for adjusting temperature and
humidity.
[0018] In an embodiment, the at least a low-precision temperature
and humidity sensing element calculates a measured temperature
level according to an intrinsic impedance level and calculates a
measured humidity level according to an output voltage level.
[0019] In an embodiment, the temperature and humidity sensing
transmission interface effectuates data latch by one of a clock
signal and a data signal.
[0020] In conclusion, the present invention provides an integrated
temperature and humidity control device for simplifying remote-end
data transmission and local-end data transmission by means of an
Ethernet and a RS232 interface, respectively, integrating a
high-precision sensing signal and a low-precision sensing signal by
means of high-precision and low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing elements, performing local-end and remote-end temperature
and humidity control on a fab, and providing on-site temperature
and humidity level display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0021] Objectives, features, and advantages of the present
invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an integrated
temperature and humidity control device according to a specific
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the integrated
temperature and humidity control device according to another
specific embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a functional block
diagram of an integrated temperature and humidity control device 10
according to a specific embodiment of the present invention. As
shown in the diagram, the integrated temperature and humidity
control device 10, which is controlled by a control console 20,
comprises at least a temperature and humidity sensing element 11,
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface 12, a
computation processing module 13, a communication interface 14, and
at least a display interface 15.
[0025] The temperature and humidity sensing element 11 senses
temperature and humidity and generates at least a temperature and
humidity sensing signal. The temperature and humidity sensing
transmission interface 12 is connected to the temperature and
humidity sensing element 11 and adapted to receive the temperature
and humidity sensing signal. The computation processing module 13
is connected to the temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface 12. The computation processing module 13 receives the
temperature and humidity sensing signal and generates at least a
temperature and humidity measurement result according to the
temperature and humidity sensing signal received. The communication
interface 14 is connected to the computation processing module 13
and adapted to send the temperature and humidity measurement result
to the control console 20. The display interface 15 is connected to
the computation processing module 13 and adapted to display the
temperature and humidity measurement result.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a functional block
diagram of the integrated temperature and humidity control device
according to another specific embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in the diagram, the integrated temperature and humidity
control device 100 comprises at least a high-precision temperature
and humidity sensing element 110, at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element 111, a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface 120, a
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface 121, a computation processing module 130, a first
communication interface 140, a second communication interface 141,
and at least a display interface 150.
[0027] The integrated temperature and humidity control device 100
further comprises a remote host 210 and a local host 211 each of
which functions as a control console for controlling the integrated
temperature and humidity control device 100.
[0028] The high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element
110 senses temperature and humidity and generates a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal. The high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element 110 is connected to the
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface 120. The high-precision temperature and humidity sensing
element 110 sends the high-precision temperature and humidity
sensing signal to the high-precision temperature and humidity
sensing transmission interface 120 by means of two-wire
transmission. In practice, the quantity of the high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element 110 is subject to changes
as needed.
[0029] The low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element
111 senses temperature and humidity and generates a low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal. The low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element 111 is connected to the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface 121. The low-precision temperature and humidity sensing
element 111 sends the low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing signal to the low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing transmission interface 111. In practice, the quantity of
the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element 111 is
subject to changes as needed.
[0030] The computation processing module 130 is connected to the
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface 120 and the low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing transmission interface 121. The computation processing
module 130 receives the high-precision temperature and humidity
sensing signal and performs computation on the temperature and
humidity levels directly to generate a high-precision temperature
and humidity measurement result. The computation processing module
130 receives the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing
signal, performs an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) process on
the low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, and
performs computation on the temperature and humidity levels to
generate a low-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result
[0031] The first communication interface 140 is connected to the
computation processing module 130 and adapted to transmit over an
Ethernet the high-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result to the remote host 210 for remote-end control. For example,
a local fab performs remote-end control from outside or performs
centralized remote-end control by a control center of the fab.
[0032] The second communication interface 141 is connected to the
computation processing module 130 and adapted to transmit via a
RS232 interface the at least a high-precision temperature and
humidity measurement result and the at least a low-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result to the local host 211
for local-end control exercised by a control center of the fab, for
example.
[0033] The at least a display interface 150 is connected to the
computation processing module 130 and adapted to display the at
least a high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result
and/or the at least a low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result for performing fixed-point head-up control at a
fixed location of a working area within the fab, for example.
[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element 110 makes
minimal errors, operates steadily, and performs a measurement
process without prior precision calibration, and thus is suitable
for use in a fab that requires high-precision temperature control.
To perform ambient temperature and humidity sensing, the at least a
high-precision temperature and humidity sensing element 110
automatically converts a detected physical parameter value into a
digital value and generates the at least a high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal. After receiving the at
least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal from
the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing
element 110 by means of two-wire transmission, the high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing transmission interface 120 sends
the at least a high-precision temperature and humidity sensing
signal to the computation processing module 130 for further
computation. Two-wire transmission is a smart transmission
technique whereby data latch is accomplished by means of clock and
data signals; hence, two-wire transmission outperforms multiwire
transmission and single-wire transmission and thus enhances the
reliability and stability in transmitting the high-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal.
[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing element 111 is disadvantaged by
its low measurement precision and thus has to undergo linear
calibration regularly. Despite its low measurement precision, the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element 111 is cheap
enough to be widely used in fab areas which require no
high-precision temperature and humidity control. After finishing
the ambient temperature and humidity sensing process, the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element 111
calculates a measured temperature level according to an intrinsic
impedance level, calculates a measured humidity level according to
an output voltage level, and generates the low-precision
temperature and humidity sensing signal. After receiving the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal from the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing element 111, the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing transmission
interface 121 sends the low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing signal to the computation processing module 130 for further
computation.
[0036] For example, after receiving the low-precision temperature
and humidity sensing signal, the computation processing module 130
performs an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) process on the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal by means of
an analog-to-digital converter built in the computation processing
module 130, to facilitate subsequent computation of temperature and
humidity levels. Furthermore, a plurality of analog-to-digital
converters is disposed in the computation processing module 130 of
the integrated temperature and humidity control device 100 for
driving multiple said low-precision temperature and humidity
sensing elements 111 simultaneously and thereby performing
temperature and humidity control over different positions of the
fab respectively and simultaneously, or measuring the temperature
and humidity at different portions of an apparatus simultaneously
(for example, controlling the temperature and humidity of different
components of a motherboard.)
[0037] In an embodiment of the present invention, after receiving
the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal and the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal, the
computation processing module 130 performs numerical computation on
the high-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal and the
low-precision temperature and humidity sensing signal that has
undergone analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) by means of a
computation processing unit (such as a central processing unit
(CPU) or a microprocessing unit (MCU)) in the computation
processing module 130. The computation processing unit executes a
preset computation-required program to generate the high-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result.
[0038] For example, the high-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result are processed by a programmable logic device
(PLD) in the computation processing module 130 and then sent to the
display interface 150 at the fab for display. The display interface
150 is a large display panel comprising a plurality of seven-step
displays and is adapted to display temperature and humidity levels,
such that workers working in the fab can know the ambient
temperature and humidity levels in the fab. The high-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result and the low-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result are processed by a
driving circuit disposed on the physical layer (PHY) in the
computation processing module 130 and then sent to the remote host
210 via the first communication interface 140 for remote-end
control. Furthermore, the high-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result are processed by a driving circuit of a
universal asynchronous receiver/transmitter (UART) in the
computation processing module 130 and then sent to the local host
211 via the second communication interface 141 for local-end
control.
[0039] The high-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result and the low-precision temperature and humidity measurement
result which have been processed by the computation processing
module 130 are sent over an Ethernet to the remote host 210 at the
remote-end control center via the first communication interface 140
for remote-end control. The high-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result and the low-precision temperature and humidity
measurement result can be directly transmitted by means of a RJ45
terminal network line disposed in the fab, and then the temperature
and humidity levels are read by a browser installed on the
operating system of a computer in real time so as to accomplish
remote-end temperature and humidity control without designing a
layout anew or developing a compatible control software.
[0040] In an embodiment of the present invention, the integrated
temperature and humidity control device 100 performs high-precision
temperature and humidity control and low-precision temperature and
humidity control simultaneously, such that the administrative team
working at the local-end control center and/or the remote-end
control center can selectively read the high-precision temperature
and humidity measurement result and/or the low-precision
temperature and humidity measurement result as needed, in order to
monitor software or apparatuses and observe the current temperature
and humidity levels in the fab. In case of an abnormal measurement
result, the remote control console and/or the local control console
issue an adjustment control signal for adjusting the temperature
and humidity. For example, in case of an abnormal change in
temperature and humidity, the monitoring software generates an
alert sound or directly sends a command for performing adjustment
control of temperature and humidity.
[0041] The integrated temperature and humidity control device 100
further comprises a storage unit 160 connected to the computation
processing module 130 and adapted to receive and store the
high-precision temperature and humidity measurement result and the
low-precision temperature and humidity measurement result for
subsequent data processing or data analysis.
[0042] In conclusion, the present invention provides an integrated
temperature and humidity control device for performing remote-end
temperature and humidity control, local-end temperature and
humidity control, and on-site display. The integrated temperature
and humidity control device not only performs high-precision
temperature and humidity control, low-precision temperature and
humidity control, and a plurality of temperature and humidity
control simultaneously, but also features systemic integration of
temperature and humidity control in a fab so as to meet industrial
needs better.
[0043] The present invention is disclosed above by preferred
embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand
that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present
invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the
scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications
and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall
within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal
protection for the present invention should be defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *